Identifying God’s Choice

Genesis 24:10-27

“And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.” (Genesis 24:10-11)

The servant was Abrahams oldest servant, probably the one who would have inherited if Isaac hadn’t been born. He had been with him since they left Haran and perhaps even before they left Ur. He went straight to the city where Abraham’s brother Nahor lived in Mesopotamia, not too far from Haran. Nahor and his family appear to have later followed Terah.

Humans need interaction with other people for emotional health. With no modern conveniences, a woman had to carry and heat water, clean house, make and wash clothes, obtain and prepare food, and care for her children. There was little time for relaxation or interaction with other people. It became a custom to carry the water in the late evening when it was cooler, and most of the work was done, so the women could walk together and help each other. It gave them a chance to visit while they worked, satisfying the emotional need. The servant arrived about the time the women would be going to the well.

“And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and show kindness unto my master Abraham. Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast showed kindness unto my master.” (Genesis 24:12-14)

If he made his purpose known, the young women would be on their best behavior, and it would be difficult to know what they were really like, and contacting them would give it away. The servant started by what many call putting out the fleece, asking God for a sign which girl was the right one. There is nothing wrong with doing so, but we need to be sure we are actually seeking God‘s will, and not just looking for a way to justify our decision. There is a joke about the pastor who had tried out for another church and been asked to come. He told his wife to go start packing while prayed about whether they should go. A lot of times the sign we request is weighted in favor of the outcome we desire, or contrary indications are ignored.

He would approach a girl and ask for a drink of water, a normal and reasonable request. He asked that the Lord make the right girl offer to water his camels as well. Camels can go for days without drinking, consuming as much as ten gallons of water at a time when thirsty. Usually, one would be expected to unload the camels and water and care for them himself or hire someone to do it. Nobody in their right mind would volunteer to do such a thing without charge, considering the number of trips that would be required, when their family was waiting for the water. It wasn’t going to happen unless God caused it, so there could be no doubt. If the first girl didn’t respond properly, he could ask another one for a drink.

“And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.

And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher. And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.

And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.” (Genesis 24:15-20)

Before he’d even finished his prayer, a beautiful girl went down into the well to get water. Though the servant had no way to know it, she was Abraham’s great niece, Isaac’s second cousin, and a virgin. The servant immediately asked her for a drink when she reappeared with the pitcher of water. Cheerfully giving him a drink, she then offered to water his camels, although each one would require one or more trips into the well. It was the sign he had asked for.

“And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.” (Genesis 24:21)

Amazed, probably at the speed with which God answered his prayer, the servant waited to see if it was just a sincere offer or just a polite response. He didn’t want to jump to any false conclusions. As she cheerfully made repeated trips to the well, it was obviously more than just a matter of being polite. She didn’t stop until the camels were satisfied.

“And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold; And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in?” (Genesis 24:22-23)

In appreciation of her effort, the servant gave her a gold earring and two gold bracelets totaling about five and a half ounces of gold. He then asked who she was and if there was the possibility of staying at their home over night as was common in that day and culture.

“And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor. She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.” (Genesis 24:24-25)

Not only did she fulfill the sign the servant asked for, she also met the requirements Abraham had set, being of the very family. In addition, he would be welcome to stay, and there would be ample food for both he and his camels. It was far more then he had any reason to expect.

“And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD. And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.” (Genesis 24:26-27)

The servant took time then to do what so many fail to do, stopping to thank God before going any farther. A lack of thankfulness is a mark of an unholy people. As the servant acknowledges, God blessed because he was doing what he was commissioned to do.

“And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things.” (Genesis 24:28)